Welcome Back Hockey.

They could not have picked a better "winter" to do it, but the NHL has come to terms with the players. While the freeze out thaws, it is shaping to be one of the hottest winters here in Florida.

So it will take some very cool highlights to get fans back in the seats.

Maybe they should start the season with no facemasks or helmets - I'd watch !

These were the cards of 1973 (40 years ago)

GUMP WORSLEY - the last of the maskless netminders

 

I am looking forward to HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA with the fancy suited DON CHERRY.

 

 

The NHL could use a "human highlight film" like WAYNE GRETZKY.

 

These were the cards of 1983 (30 years ago) 

The "Great One" was on lots of card in the set.

 

Drop the puck !

Are You A Tough Guy ?

Remember school days when it seemed important to be a tough guy ? The thing about trading cards is that if your sport requires it, a tough guy picture is a hit on the playground.

So who looks ike a tough guy ? Wrestler Theo Bauer (above) looks quite the intimidater a hundred years before WWF guys were posing as such. This 1887 Allen & Ginter is a true sample of artwork.

1909 Player's Cigarettes Arms & Armor and the 1905 Player's Riders of The World are two sets that displayed superior illustration of men ready for battle. Three sword welding mad-men were probably ancient all-stars.

What's different about the card below ? Could it be the fact that the offensive skater is wearing a helmet and face cage ? Meanwhile, the goalie - Lorne Worsley - has no mask.

Lorne, better known as "Gump" was one of the last NHL goalkeepers to don the face mask.

Worsley was a part of the Montreal Canadiens 1960's dynasty. He experienced a nervous breakdown and suffered from a fear of flying.  He was lured out of retirement for the expansion Minnesota North Stars. This great moment of battle was only available in the 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee hockey set.